The NBL1 Southern Conference tips-off this weekend with the return of the Tasmanian Derby. The Launceston Tornadoes will host the Hobart Chargers at Elphin Sports Centre while the North-West Thunder will take on the Hobart Chargers in Ulverstone.
Thanks to the Tasmanian Government and Basketball Tasmania, our Tasmanian NBL1 Teams are well supported to deliver opportunities for Tasmanian Players, with the NBL1 level a crucial part of Basketball Tasmania’s Talent Pathway.
The likes of Taran Armstrong, Reyne Smith, Jacob Richards, Taylor Mole, Sharn Hayward and Micah Simpson have all worked their way through Basketball Tasmania’s FDP/SDP Programs, played NBL1 in Tasmania and gone on to achieve great things at higher levels.
We encourage all the members of Basketball Tasmania to get behind and support our NBL1 sides. By supporting them, you are supporting the pathway for Tasmanian athletes, which in return supports you.
Ahead of the season openers, below is a spotlight on a few of the Tasmanian players in each team:
Chloe Broomhall – Hobart Chargers
- A current member of Southern Wolves at the senior level after progressing through their junior teams.
- Joined FDP as an U12 athlete, before going on to graduate SDP in 2024.
- Awarded “Gold Class” in 2024 for representing Tasmania at four consecutive National Championships (U16-U18s) and represented Tasmania at this year’s U20 National Championships.
- Throughout her junior journey, Chloe also took part in several Basketball Tasmania Development Tours including the U14 Club Championships, Adelaide Invitational Tournament and Country Cup (member of the U14 Gold Medal Team in 2020).
- A current member of Basketball Tasmania’s National Performance Program and has participated in a multitude of State Development and National Performance Camps across Tasmania.
- Chloe has played 37 games for the Hobart Chargers, since making her debut in 2023.
Jacob Richards – Hobart Chargers
- Jacob has played for several clubs throughout Tasmania, including Southern Wolves and Penguin.
- Graduated SDP in 2017, where he was awarded “Gold Class” for representing Tasmania at four consecutive National Championships (U16-U18s).
- He then went on to represent Tasmania a further two times at U20 Nationals and was a part of the Bronze Medal Winning Team at the 2020 U20 National Championships.
- Jacob is a former member of Basketball Tasmania’s National Performance Program and has won a Bronze Medal representing Australia at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup in Malaysia in 2019.
- He has also taken part in several Basketball Tasmania Development Tours, including Country Cup from 2014-2018.
- Jacob has played at the NBL1 level for over 5 years and has also had a stint in the NBL as a Development Player with the Tasmania JackJumpers.
Jordan Straatsma – Hobart Chargers
- Jordan has played with a range of Clubs throughout Tasmania, having played with the Kingborough-Huon Kings as a junior before his current commitment to the Devonport Warriors and Hobart Phoenix at the senior level.
- An FDP member who went on to graduate SDP in 2022. Jordan has represented Tasmania at the Country Cup, and on multiple occasions at National Championships, including playing an integral role in claiming 2 x Bronze Medals (U18s in 2022 and U20s in 2024).
- Jordan has played 37 clubs for the Hobart Chargers and is looking forward to building on this in the upcoming season.
Kye Savage – North-West Thunder
- A Devonport Warriors Junior & Senior Representative player.
- Joined FDP as an U12 athlete, before going on to graduate SDP in 2022. Kye has represented Tasmania at the U16, U18 and U20 National Championships and played a key role in claiming 2 x Bronze Medals (U18s in 2022 and U20s in 2024).
- Kye has also participated in several Basketball Tasmania Development Tours, including Country Cup where he was a member of the first-ever Gold Medal Winning Team in 2018 (U14 Boys).
- Kye is a former member of Basketball Tasmania’s National Performance Program and has been a part of Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence.
- He has represented Australia at both the Junior & Senior Level, having played for the Australia Crocs at the 2022 World Cup and making his debut for the Australian Boomers in 2024.
- Kye will be returning to Tasmania to play for the Thunder in the 2025 NBL1 Season, having just played his debut season in the NBL with the Brisbane Bullets.
Lucy Aherne – Launceston Tornadoes
- A Devonport Warriors Junior & Senior Representative player.
- Worked her way through Basketball Tasmania’s Talent Pathway, from an U12 FDP athlete to graduating SDP in 2024.
- Awarded “Gold Class” in 2024 for representing Tasmania at four consecutive National Championships (U16-U18s) and captained Tasmania at this year’s U20 National Championships.
- A current member of Basketball Tasmania’s National Performance Program, Lucy has regularly featured in Australian Junior Groups. She was recently selected into the Australian Gems U19 Squad and has also won gold with the Australian Sapphires at the 2023 U16 Asia Cup.
- Lucy has also represented Tasmania on several development tours, including the Adelaide Invitational and Country Cup (member of the U14 Gold Medal Team in 2020).
- This will be Lucy’s second season with the Launceston Tornadoes at the NBL1 level.
Sejr Deans – North-West Thunder
- Sejr is a Launceston Basketball Junior athlete and has recently returned to Tasmania from playing professionally overseas in Europe.
- He has been a strong contributor to Basketball Tasmania’s Talent Pathway, having participated in Basketball Tasmania’s FDP/SDP/NPP programs, played for Tasmania at multiple National Championships, played College Basketball with the Jacksonville Dolphins, and of course has played previously at the NBL1 level with the Northwest Thunder.
- Sejr was the Tasmania JackJumpers first-ever player signing, where he was a development player for them in 2021/2022.
- At the junior level, Sejr captained the Australian Crocs to the 2018 U15 Oceania Championships and has also been a member of several other Australian Squads.
- Sejr played for the Northwest Thunder last season, and is looking forward to building on his recently gained experience overseas.
Sharna Thompson – Hobart Chargers
- Sharna is a Hobart Phoenix junior and is currently playing senior basketball for Glenorchy Basketball.
- Sharna has been a member of Basketball Tasmania’s State Development and National Performance Programs and has represented Tasmania at several National Championships.
- She has also taken part in several Basketball Tasmania Development Tours, including Country Cup from 2013-2015.
- Sharna has experience at the professional level, having been a Development Player with the Townsville Fire and the Adelaide Lightning.
- She returns to play NBL1 in Tasmania this season, having spent the last few years playing NBL1 on the mainland.
Taya Webb – Launceston Tornadoes
- A Devonport Warriors Junior & Senior Representative player.
- Taya worked her way through the Basketball Tasmania Talent Pathway, having been in the FDP/SDP/NPP Programs.
- Awarded “Gold Class” in 2021 for representing Tasmania at four consecutive National Championships (U16-U18s).
- Throughout her junior journey, Taya also took part in several Basketball Tasmania Development Tours including the U14 Club Championships and Country Cup.
- She returns to play NBL1 in Tasmania this season, having spent the last year playing in the NBL1 East.
